The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a worldwide alliance of over 230 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries, who have come together to enhance the lives of people with diabetes everywhere. The Federation is committed to raising global awareness of diabetes, promoting appropriate diabetes care and prevention, and encouraging activities towards finding a cure for the different types of diabetes. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950. It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

According to the latest IDF figures,[1] there are currently 415 million people living with diabetes and the total is expected to rise to 640 million by 2040. Some 75% of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries and almost half of people living with diabetes are undiagnosed.

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IDF is divided into seven regions,[2] with the aim of strengthening the work of national diabetes associations and enhancing the collaboration between them. IDF’s national diabetes associations are divided into the following regions: Africa (AFR),Europe (EUR),Middle East and North Africa (MENA), North America and Caribbean (NAC), South and Central America (SACA), South East Asia (SEA) and Western Pacific (WP).

IDF’s working bodies bring together the most important stakeholders from the global diabetes community in a collaborative effort to set common goals and co-ordinate activities towards the attainment of these goals. These stakeholders include: people with diabetes and their families; professionals involved in diabetes healthcare and related fields; diabetes representative organizations, and partners from commercial organizations with concerns which align with the mission of the Federation. IDF is associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations and is in official relations with the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization.[citation needed]

The federation conducts a number of activities and projects. These include advocacy and lobbying work, education for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers, public awareness and health improvement campaigns, as well as the promotion of the free exchange of diabetes knowledge. A few examples include:

World Diabetes Day, the primary awareness campaign of the diabetes world, marked every year on 14 November. As a result of the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225 in December 2006, World Diabetes Day is an official United Nations day. The campaign is represented by the blue circle,[3] the global symbol of diabetes.[4]

The World Diabetes Congress, which provides a unique and international forum to discuss a wide variety of diabetes-related topics.[5]

The Diabetes Atlas, a unique resource on diabetes for a wide range of audiences including decision-makers, public health authorities, healthcare professionals and educators. The next World Diabetes Congress will be held in 2015.[1]

BRIDGES, a programme that funds translational research projects in primary and secondary prevention of diabetes to provide the opportunity to ‘translate’ lessons learned from clinical research to those who can benefit most: people affected by diabetes.[6]

Life for a Child Programme, helping children with diabetes in developing countries to access the diabetes care that they require to survive. The Programme is currently helping over 12,000 children in 43 countries.[7]